Vernon’s Ultra-Endurance Powerhouse Shanda Hill Closes In on Epic Finish at Grueling Poland Ultra Triathlon…Read More…
POLAND – July 24, 2025 — As the sun rises over the quiet countryside of Poland, a Canadian athlete from Vernon, British Columbia is pushing her body and mind through one of the most grueling endurance events on Earth. Shanda Hill — no stranger to pain, perseverance, or the impossible — is closing in on the finish line of the Deca Ultra Triathlon, a 10-times Ironman distance race that would terrify even the world’s toughest athletes.
But Hill, often described as Canada’s “Queen of Ultra,” is not just competing — she’s thriving.
After days of swimming, cycling, and running with minimal sleep and relentless discipline, the 39-year-old athlete is now on the final marathon stretch of the 38-kilometre swim, 1,800-kilometre bike, and 422-kilometre run. The Deca Triathlon, held in Poland’s scenic but demanding terrain, is a true test of human endurance — and Hill is proving once again that she’s built for it.
A Legacy of Endurance
Shanda Hill is no stranger to ultra triathlons. In fact, she’s the only Canadian woman — and one of just a handful of women globally — to ever finish a Deca Triathlon. This is not her first; it’s her fourth time taking on this unimaginable feat. In past events held in Mexico and Switzerland, she has not only completed the full race but has placed impressively high against elite competitors from around the globe.
Born and raised in Vernon, Hill’s journey into ultra sports began with a cycling injury years ago. What might have ended an athletic career for most sparked something different in Hill: a deeper hunger to defy limits. “I just wanted to see how far the human body can go,” she once told CBC in a past interview. That question has since led her around the world, competing in some of the longest and most demanding endurance races ever conceived.
The Poland Challenge
The Poland Ultra Triathlon is unique in its structure and challenges. Athletes must complete 10 Ironman-distance triathlons — back-to-back — over the span of 10 to 14 days. That means 10 consecutive 3.8km swims, 180km bike rides, and full marathons, totaling over 2,260 kilometers.
The event is not just a physical challenge; it’s mental warfare. Sleep deprivation, temperature swings, muscle breakdown, hallucinations, and emotional burnout are all common. Athletes have to manage injuries, nutrition, hydration, and psychological resilience — often without the large support crews seen in mainstream sports.
But Hill came prepared.
Known for her meticulous training regimen, which includes multiple daily sessions of swimming, cycling, and running in Vernon’s hills and lakes, Hill has also trained her mind to handle ultra-endurance fatigue. She practices meditation, breathwork, and visualization to prepare for the dark hours when the pain outweighs adrenaline.
“She’s not just physically tough — she’s mentally bulletproof,” said coach and friend Mike Ellis, who’s been remotely tracking her progress. “Most people drop out before day five. Shanda has made it to the finish line before — and she’s about to do it again.”
Nearing the Finish Line
As of this morning, Hill has completed nine full triathlons and is into the final marathon of her tenth — a staggering 422 kilometers of running over ten days. Fellow athletes and fans across Canada are watching closely via the race’s live tracker, sending waves of support across social media.
In one update posted from her team’s page, Hill appeared upbeat and determined: “My body is tired but my heart is full. Every step is for every woman who ever thought she wasn’t strong enough.”
Her words reflect not only personal strength but a broader mission. Hill often uses her platform to inspire women in sport, raise awareness for mental health, and advocate for pushing beyond comfort zones. She has said that ultra-endurance is about more than finishing lines — it’s about self-discovery.
A Community Behind Her
Back home in Vernon, friends, family, and fans are organizing a virtual watch party for her final hours on the course. Her hometown has followed her journey with pride over the years, recognizing her as both a fierce athlete and a community role model.
“She’s the kind of person who runs 100 kilometers, then goes to speak at a school the next day about grit and goal-setting,” said Dana McLellan, a longtime friend and former training partner. “She never quits — and she never forgets where she came from.”
Local businesses have also backed Hill’s journey, including Vernon-based sponsors that help fund her travel and race fees. Without the millions in sponsorship money that major athletes receive, Hill has often leaned on grassroots support, and she’s always been open about how much that means to her.
What’s Next?
If all goes to plan, Hill will cross the Deca finish line within the next 12 hours — a momentous achievement that could rank among her greatest triumphs. But knowing Shanda Hill, there’s little time for rest.
She’s already talked about tackling a “Double Deca” next — 20 Ironman races in 20 days.
But for now, the world watches and waits as one of Canada’s most unstoppable athletes takes her final, powerful strides toward another impossible dream realized.
And when she crosses that line, she won’t just be finishing a race. She’ll be carving another piece of history — one that proves limits are meant to be broken.
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